Pickpocket Blues
by 
Bessie Smith 
recording of 
from 
The Complete Recordings, Vol. 3 (Columbia/Legacy C2K-47474) 
My best man, my best friend, 
told me to stop peddlin' 
gin 
They even told me to keep my hands 
out people's pocket where their money was in 
But I wouldn't listen or have any shame, 
'long as someone else would take the blame 
Now I can see it all come home to me 
I'm sittin' in the jailhouse now 
I mean, I'm in the jailhouse now 
I done stop runnin' around with this one 
and these good lookin' browns 
Any time you see me, I was good time bound, 
with this one, that one, most all in town 
I'm in the jailhouse now, 
I'm sittin' in the jailhouse now 
__________ 
Note 1: peddlin', to travel about with wares, in this case gin, for sale. In a wider sense: to sell, or offer for sale from place to place.